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FEDEX’s CEO to Speak at a Special Pentagon Town Hall

*****MEDIA ADVISORY*****FEDEX’S CEO TO SPEAK AT A SPECIAL PENTAGON TOWN HALLIN COMMEMORATION OF THE VIETNAM WAR 50TH ANNIVERSARY

WASHINGTON–Vietnam Veteran, Fred Smith, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of FedEx Corporation, will be the guest speaker at a special town hall at 11 a.m. on Friday February 28, 2014 to help the Pentagon launch the 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War Commemoration.

Smith, a Marine, served two tours in Vietnam flying on more than 200 combat missions, earning the Silver Star, Bronze Star, and two Purple Hearts. At the town hall, called Battlefield to Boardroom, he will discuss how his Vietnam experience observing war-time logistics inspired him to start FedEx.

LTG Raymond V. Mason, the Army’s Deputy Chief of Staff, G-4, Logistics, will serve as the host for the town hall in the Pentagon Auditorium. Mason is the Army’s lead for commemoration activities in support of the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War; as well, the G-4 is an official Commemorative Partner. Also in attendance will be LTG(R) Claude Kicklighter, Director of the DoD Office of Commemorations for the Vietnam 50th , and senior leadership from the Joint Logistics community.

Mason said “this event will be a great way to highlight the success of Vietnam Veterans beyond the battlefield, and an opportunity for our Soldiers, Marines, Sailors, Airmen, and Coast Guardsmen to hear how someone who shares a military background started a multi-billion dollar industry.”

The town hall, which is open to all Pentagon employees, will begin with a special performance by the Army’s Old Guard, dressed in Vietnam-era uniforms; and will feature a short video, Battlefield to Beyond, profiling 10 Vietnam Veterans who have taken inspiration from their Service to new heights.